zondag 30 juli 2017

Fïx8:Sëd8 - Foren6 (CD review)




Genre: Electro
Label: Dependent
Rating: 8,5/10

2017 promises to be a great year for the old-school rivethead. Recently, the long-expected debut of 2nd Face was released on Dependent and soon we can expect a fresh portion of old-school beats on Electro Aggression Records (Pyrroline and Akalotz will release a new CD this year). At this moment, the brand-new album of Fïx8:Sëd8 is in the spotlight. Just like 2nd Face, this project was recently signed by the label of Stefan Herwig. However, a big difference is that Fïx8:Sëd8 is not a newcomer. Martin Sane had already released 2 albums on his own, but publicity to these was only given within the small dark electro scene. Thanks to the label deal with Dependent, this will most likely change. 'Foren6' has just been released and has already been proclaimed as one of the best dark electronic releases of this year.

I myself was not entirely unfamiliar with the work of Martin Sane. I have already seen Fïx8:Sëd8 live 3 times and this year, performances number 4 and possibly 5 will follow (Fïx8:Sëd8 will play at the WGT next week, but I am not yet sure if I will watch it; this will depend on the distance between the different concert venues). As a result, I know very well that Martin Sane is a perfectionist who will not release/do anything until he is 100% satisfied. Anyone who listens to 'Foren6' hears right away that it is the result of years of work. Martin Sane makes classic dark electro in the vein of - among others - Mentallo & The Fixer, a legendary American band which is well-known for its complex, multi-layered compositions. Skinny Puppy is a big influence too. If you would not know better, you would believe that a track like 'Flatline Friend' features vocals of Ogre himself. Aside from this, Martin Sane delivers a great vocal effort throughout the entire album, accompanied by carefully selected vocal effects. For example, the overlap of vocals/effects in 'Baptism Of Fire' is a true pleasure for the ear. Just for this, this album already deserves all praise and I have not even yet talked about the arrangements which equally excel in diversity. From the subtle, mesmerising electronics in 'My Mistress' and 'Hermaphrodite' to the (quasi-)club potential of 'X-Shaped Scratch Mark' and 'Puritan': 'Foren6' has it all.

It is highly recommended to listen to this album as a whole; it is only then that it will show its full potential. But if I had to select one loose track as a favourite, it would be 'Ligamentum'. It had been a while (since Pyrroline's album 'Ruins Outlast') that I have been so touched by a contemporary dark electro track. 'Baptism Of Fire' and 'Eyesaw' complete the top 3. And if I had the liberty to take into account the limited (and nearly sold out) 'Formaldehyde Edition' of 'Foren6', I would also like to mention 'Force Of Inertia', a magnificent remix (with added vocals) of a track of MC1R. This is dark electro as I prefer it: intense and beautiful.

Whereas I was slightly critical with regards to the hype around 2nd Face, I have not a single doubt about the new album of Fïx8:Sëd8. Very solid release on Dependent and a must-have for the fans of old-school electro. 'Foren6' can already rest assured it will get a spot in my top 10 of 2017.

CD review: Marjolein Laenen



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